The matter pertaining to the recent incident with the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee finally concluded.
On the 14th of March, the Election Commission (EC) formed panel said the incident with Ms. Banerjee in Nandigram was not an attack, but an accident. The EC panel studied the report submitted by special observer Ajay Nayak and special police observer Vivek Dubey.
The EC said, “The incident was not a planned attack but an accident. It had taken place suddenly.” The panel added, “The suddenness of the incident led to it. There was no conspiracy behind the incident.”
However, the panel suspended the Indian Public Service (IPS) officer Vivek Sahay. He was responsible for handling the security of Ms. Banerjee Bengal during the Nandigram rally where she got severely injured.
As per the EC panel, investigating the incident said Vivek Sahay IPS and the Director Security of Ms. Banerjee should be removed from the post of Director Security and be placed under suspension immediately. The EC said, “The charges must be framed against him within a week for grossly failing in the discharge of his primary duty as Director Security to protect the Z+ protectee.” In addition the EC also suspended Purba Medinipur Superintendent of Police (SP) Pravin Prakash. The Commission said, “Charges shall be framed against him for a major failure of bandobast.”
Besides suspending two officers, the EC also directed the West Bengal Chief Secretary Shri Alapan Bandyopadhyay to list officers in charge of the Chief Minister’s security who faulted in their duties. The EC gave three days to the Chief Secretary to do as per directed and take action against them.
On the other hand, the West Bengal unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wrote to the EC regarding Mamata Banerjee’s injuries. The BJP asked the EC to see if all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were followed during Mamata Banerjee’s treatment at Kolkata’s SSKM Hospital. They also asked to reveal all information with regard to Mamata’s injury in public domain. The letter and demand came with the allegations of conspiracy of planning an attack herself.
The BJP alleged Mamata Banerjee of planning the attack to take political mileage. The incident which happened on the 10th of March, weeks ahead of the Assembly elections created political drama. Both the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the BJP were playing blame game and alleging each other to be behind the incident.
However, the EC on the 14th of March put an end to the matter and declared the incident to be an accident.
Meanwhile, West Bengal would contest for 294 seats. The elections would be held in 8 phases, beginning from the 27th of March, and would continue till the 29th of April.
This year, elections in West Bengal are witnessing a different wave with the Central leaders including PM Modi campaigning for the elections. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is eying to rule West Bengal and dethrone the ruling TMC.
On the other hand, the TMC is campaigning hard to remain in power for the third time.
The results of the West Bengal Assembly elections would be announced on the 2nd of May.
Stay tuned for further updates.
